Huntyr stepped forward first. “I will.”
Rummy’s eyes lit up, as if she was surprised. The subtle shock of it radiated through our bond.
I bit the inside of my cheek. It almost felt like Rummy wasn’t expecting her best friend to volunteer. That was like her, though. Always thinking she didn’t deserve the love she received.
“Take her hands,” one mage ordered.
Huntyr obeyed, and the foreign words of the ritual continued on.
“We accept this vessel for all that is good, for all that is powerful, for all that is true.”
More chanting. More tightness in my chest.
“From one vessel to another, we give you the power of light.” On cue, light flashed between the two of them.
Huntyr and Rummy gasped in unison and stiffened.
I glanced at Wolf, confirming that he watched just as closely as I did. His fists clenched at his sides, his expression stony, like he was ready to step in if anything were to go awry.
But just as quickly as it started, the flash faded, and the two relaxed.
“As we will it, it shall be. The goddess blesses this request. Who else is willing?”
Wolf volunteered next.
The king followed his queen.
He pushed himself and his golden angel wings off the wall, and when Huntyr slid her hands from Rummy’s, he replaced them with his own. He towered over Rummy, and even though she craned her neck to meet his gaze, she appeared even braver than he did. It was impossible not to notice her firmly set jaw. Her focused brows.
We accept this vessel for all that is good, for all that is powerful, for all that is true.
“From one vessel to another, we give you the power of healing.” Light flashed again, lasting longer this time, but I kept my eyes glued to Rummy.
Once it faded, Wolf inhaled deeply and returned to the far side of the room with Huntyr.
Rummy’s right hand hovered over her chest, and for the first time all evening, her fingertips shook.
“Who else is willing?”
Just as I thought I’d found the nerve to step forward, Huntyr opened the door on the far side of the room, revealing a line of fae and vampyres, all waiting to give their magic to Rummy.
“Holy hells,” Rummy muttered. “They all want to share their power with me?”
“They believe in you,” Huntyr answered. “Just like we do. But they’ll only share if you’re willing to accept it.”
Rummy, cheeks tinged pink, nodded. Of course she would accept. She’d taken on this massive feat, and she wouldn’t stop here. A fresh wave of tenacity flickered though the tether that linked us.
Still, I stood frozen.
One by one, these strangers offered their gifts to Rummy.
The power of strength.
Truth.
Fire.
Endurance.
